Hockey: Irish sweep Falcons, streak into playoffs
By: MATT ORENCHUK
Sports Writer
The Notre Dame men's hockey team finished up the season in style this past weekend, posting a sweep of the Bowling Green Falcons, winning 4-3 Friday night and 4-1 Saturday night.
The wins made the Irish's final record 14-15-5 (12-12-4 in the CCHA) and secured the team eighth place in the conference's final standings.
After missing the CCHA playoffs last season, Notre Dame returns to the post season with a series against Nebraska-Omaha starting Friday.
The sweep was especially important because it gives the Irish momentum for the post-season.
"We started playing a new defensive system the weekend of MSU," said junior Mike Chin. "The new system has helped us out a lot, but hasn't taken away from our offensive productivity."
On Friday night the Irish peppered the Bowling Green goal, outshooting the Falcons 50-31. Despite the shot count difference, the game was close with Notre Dame holding on for a 4-3 victory.
The Irish got the scoring started in the first when Paul Harris flipped the puck toward the goal at an odd angle. The puck took a funny bounce and got past Falcon goalie Tyler Masters for the first score of the game. The Irish finished the first in a hurry, with goals from Jake Wiegand and Jon Maruk to pull ahead 3-2.
The only score in the second period came from Kyle Dolder.
The Falcons made the third period interesting when they cut into the Irish lead 5 minutes in. But in the end the Notre Dame defense and goalie Morgan Cey were too much. The Irish kept Bowling Green from tying the game and took home the 4-3 victory.
In Saturday's game the shots were more even but the score was not. Notre Dame had 35 shots on goal to Bowling Green's 30, but the score was a lopsided 4-1 Notre Dame victory.
The Irish got the scoring started 6 minutes and 45 seconds into the first with a David Inman goal. Rob Globke added a goal to bring the Notre Dame lead to 2-0.
In the second Globke added another goal and the Irish never looked back.
In the third Bowling Green was able to get on the board but it wasn't enough. Notre Dame put in an empty netter at the end of the game to seal up a 4-1 victory.
Now, with the regular season finally done, Notre Dame can turn their attention to the post-season.
The feeling from the team is that if they stick to their assignments they will be tough to beat.
"[For the playoffs] we just need to play within the system and play hard," said Chin. "Everyone believes we are going to keep going and not be stopped."
All Sports Stories for Monday, March 4, 2002
